"It doesn't matter," Sam said firmly. "It's done. Over. It doesn't matter anymore." He crossed his arms defiantly over his chest and pierced Dean with eyes of cold steel.

"You're telling me like I don't know that," Dean returned the glare and stood his ground. While he truly did believe it was finished, he wasn't yet ready to accept it. If there was anything he could do to change things – anything at all – he was prepared to do it, even if that meant going about it alone. Anything.

Sam sighed heavily in exasperation and nodded once. Pointedly. "Dean. Give it up. Let it go. There's no point in obsessing over – "

"Maybe not for you."

" – what happened. It wasn't our fault. We did everything we could given the circumstances."

"I know, I know! Would you shut up about it already?"

Sam fell silent, allowing Dean a moment to listen to the rasping of his own breath. They stared at each other, both caught up in their thoughts.

Dean shattered the quiet with his next words. "A child died because of me."

"You couldn't have – " Sam tried.

"I was too slow. I didn't get there in time."

"Which wasn't your fault!"

"If I hadn't hesitated when I worked it out, she'd still be alive." Dean shrugged in response to the disbelieving stare Sam gave him and looked him in the eyes. "That's all there is to it."

Before Sam could interject, Dean turned and walked from the room.

It may have been over, but that didn't mean he couldn't think it over some more and sink into the guilt he felt. It was the least he could do for the girl he had not been able to save.

fin.

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